KABUL, Afghanistan — An explosion tore through a hotel in central Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district on Monday, killing at least seven people and injuring around a dozen others, authorities and an Italian medical charity say. The cause of the blast remains under investigation, and no group has yet claimed responsibility.
The blast struck one of the capital’s busiest commercial neighbourhoods, known for its office buildings, shopping areas and foreign presence. Shahr-e-Naw has long been considered among the safer districts in Kabul, making the explosion particularly jarring for residents and officials alike.
Casualties and Emergency Response
According to EMERGENCY, the Italian medical NGO that operates a surgical facility in Kabul, its centre received 20 victims from the blast, including seven who were already dead on arrival. Many of the wounded suffered lacerations and bruises, and several were being assessed for more serious treatment. Those injured included four women and a child, the organisation’s country director, Dejan Panic, said in a statement.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani acknowledged that the explosion had caused both deaths and injuries but did not provide precise numbers, saying officials were still compiling information. Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran initially identified the location of the blast as a hotel before later accounts suggested it may have also involved a restaurant space within or adjacent to the building.
Chinese state media reported that two Chinese nationals were seriously wounded in the explosion, and that an Afghan security guard was among the confirmed fatalities, reflecting the international impact of the incident.
Security and Investigation
Footage shared on local television showed smoke and dust rising in the streets outside the blast site, with pedestrians and vehicles scattered as emergency services responded. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the explosion, and are investigating whether it was accidental, targeted, or linked to militant activity. No group has claimed responsibility.
Although the Taliban has controlled Afghanistan since 2021 and pledged to improve security, periodic blasts and attacks continue in Kabul and other cities, often attributed to the local affiliate of the Islamic State group and other armed factions.
Why This Matters
- The blast occurred in one of Kabul’s most central and previously secure districts, highlighting ongoing security vulnerabilities in the capital.
- International nationals were among the injured, underscoring the broader risks facing foreign citizens and businesses in Afghanistan.
- The incident may prompt heightened security measures around commercial and diplomatic areas.
